Editor's Note: And so we begin the summer season. During the months of July and August, Parish: 'The Thought' only publishes every other week, picking up with weekly issues again on Labor Day. You can expect issues on July 8, July 22, August 5, August 19 and September 2 (Labor Day). Have a great summer! | |
Director of Media and Communication | |
To view 'The Thought' click on video above | |
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Mark 6:7-13:
Jesus: Principles of Ministry
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by Jeff Stott
Jesus game plan can be summarized in two words: “Follow Me.” Follow me and I will make you fisher of people. Follow me and you will become like me. Follow me and you will find life. Follow me and you will discover your kingdom purpose and mission. Follow me and you will truly find why you were created.
Jesus didn’t merely give His followers knowledge and skills; He transformed them. And this transformation didn’t take place through rules and rituals, but rather in relationship with a living person who walked among them. The disciples got to know His personality, style, methods, and values. They began to see life from a different perspective. The same can happen for you.
The section in Mark that we are looking at today marks a turning point in the Lord’s ministry. Before this, only Jesus preached the gospel message, healed diseases, performed miracles, and confronted the hard-hearted unbelief of the people. That changed with authorizing of the twelve apostles as official representatives of Jesus and His kingdom.
The dozen men selected by Jesus had already spent countless hours accompanying and learning from Him. They had spent about a year going from village to village. Though already named as apostles, they had not yet been set apart from the larger group of Jesus disciples for specific service. The Lord had earlier promised them that He would train them to be “fishers of men” (Mark 1:17). Now the time had come for their personal ministries to begin. Though they would not be fully equipped and empowered for that task until the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8), their ministry began here. READ MORE
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The St. Ignatius Environmental Justice Committee, Antiracism Task Force, and Young Adult Ministry are co-sponsoring a Litter Pilgrimage on 21 July at 11:15 AM, where we will walk a rectangular course of less than two miles in our neighborhoods. We will consider the temperatures in July, accessibility needs and people's interest in a shorter route and will make every effort to accommodate all participants.
Exercising the Jesuit mission of advocacy, education and action, while prayerfully collecting trash/litter as we go, we will reflect upon key elements of Pope Francis' Laudato Si', Franciscan and Ignatian spiritualities, and Catholic Social Teaching to become aware of our immediate environment (both ecological and social) and to discern how we are being called to act.
We will meet at the native garden on Calvert Street, in front of the Parish Offices, at 11:15 a.m. Please bring gloves. Grabbers and bags will be provided, but if you have either, please bring them. All are welcome to light refreshments in St. Ignatius Rectory at the Pilgrimage's conclusion. Please RSVP to Theresa, chair of the Environmental Justice Committee at tafurnari10@gmail.com if you will join us. We hope to see you there!
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From the Environmental Justice Committee | |
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Tips About Cleaning Products
Research making and using your own household cleaners
According to the EPA, "cleaning products can present several health and environmental concerns. They may contain chemicals associated with eye, skin, or respiratory irritation, or other human health issues. Additionally, the concentrated forms of some commercial cleaning products are classified as hazardous, creating potential handling, storage, and disposal issues for users." Because many of these products are washed down our drains and into our waterways, again, according to the EPA, they can be hazardous to our aquatic life. A better choice is to use green products. The EPA manages the Safer Choice program, which certifies products that contain safer ingredients for human health and the environment. Or you can make your own, Fix Air at https://iaqrx.com/top-5-nonchemical-homeopathic-options-for-cleaning-your-home/ offers ideas for five non chemical cleaning products.
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Less ice means more warming | |
Pope: Care for creation is an ethical and theological issue | |
Pope Francis releases his message for the 2024 World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, and appeals for humanity's conversion so that we acknowledge the disastrous effects of war and set ethical limits on the development of artificial intelligence. | |
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By Deborah Castellano Lubov
Humanity's abuse of nature requires a true conversion and invites us to change our lifestyles.
Pope Francis made this appeal in his Message for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, to be held on September 1, 2024, which was published Thursday.
"Hope and Act with Creation'
The Day's theme this year is “Hope and Act with Creation," drawn from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Romans (8:19-25), in which the Apostle explains what it means for us to live according to the Spirit, and focuses on the sure hope of salvation that is born of faith, namely, the newness of life in Christ.
The message signed by Pope Francis on June 27 is broken up into nine sections, which all highlight our responsibility to take care of our Common Home. It stresses that, as Christians called to live in faith and charity, caring for the environment is "a task to be undertaken freely, in obedience to Jesus’ commandment of love."
READ MORE
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2nd Collection on July 20-21 | |
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In solidarity with Catholic communities throughout the world, St. Ignatius will take up a second collection on July 20-21 to support the work of missionary work that activates and embodies Catholic Social Teaching. Sister Rosehellen Karwirwa, a Nazareth Sister of the Annunciation, will share her life’s work as a Nazareth Sister of the Annunciation, which is operational in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and the U.S.A.
Please be prepared to show your love and support when Sr. Rosehellen on July 20-21. You can make a one-time donation through Faith Direct for this special collection. To learn more about the Nazareth Sisters, check out their website: https://www.nazarethsisters.com/ Thank you!
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Need for St. Ignatius Day Food | |
We have a special day planned for the feast of our patron saint on July 28th. We will have special music during Mass, and a reception afterwards in Ignatian Hall. If you could consider bringing a food dish or beverage we would greatly appreciate it. Click on the button below to tell us what you can contribute. | | |
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Tuesday, July 9
@ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Zoom Meeting
Reading & Discussion Group
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Thursday, July 11
@ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Justice & Peace Ministry Meeting
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Sunday, July 21
@ 2:00 pm
Concert in the Afternoon
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NUMBERS SNAPSHOT
Last weekends
attendance and collection
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CONTRIBUTE
Learn the different ways you can
support the church financially.
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READER NOTIFICATION:
Parish: 'the thought' is a publication of St. Ignatius Catholic Community—Baltimore. Each edition contains articles and news feeds that are included for awareness of current topics in our world today. The positions expressed by outside authors and news feeds are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or positions of St. Ignatius Catholic Community or its staff.
- This e-zine was designed and compiled by John C. Odean
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